Monovalent COVID-19 Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are now available in Australia, following the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA) approval of the following XBB 1.5 vaccines for use as primary and additional doses:

• Pfizer monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine 5 - <12 years formulation (light blue cap)
• Pfizer monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine ≥12 years formulation (dark grey cap)
• Moderna monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine, registered for use in people aged 12 years and older.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advises the following:

• All currently available COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefit to eligible people, however the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are preferred over other vaccines for use in children aged 5 years or older and adults who are currently recommended primary or additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine according to the Australian Immunisation Handbook
• For those who have had the recommended 2023 dose/s of COVID-19 vaccine, ATAGI is not recommending further doses or re-vaccination with an XBB.1.5-containing vaccine at this time
• ATAGI notes the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across Australia since November 2023. ATAGI encourages all people who have not yet had their recommended 2023 dose/s to receive them as soon as possible (see table below).

There are no monovalent XBB.1.5-containing vaccines registered for use in children aged 6 months to 4 years. Currently, Pfizer original (maroon cap) is the only formulation available for use in this age group. Providers can refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook to check which vaccines are recommended by age group.

ATAGI updated the recommendations for doses of COVID-19 in February and September 2023. These recommendations have not changed at this time. As published in the September statement, the current recommendations for further doses are summarised below:

Table: Current recommendations for further COVID-19 vaccine doses (unchanged from September 2023)